Resources industry faces 'skills shortage' amid job losses

The director of a Queensland resources industry training body says there are still plenty of career opportunities in the sector.

Thousands of jobs have been lost across Queensland in the past 12 months, due to lower demand and a significant drop in the price of coal.

Roger Atkins from the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy says while the current situation is challenging, there is still demand for Australian resources.

"Basically the future of the industry is supported by the fact that we're keeping the lights on in Taiwan, in South Korea and Japan," he said.

"There is a sustained lower level of supply and demand, especially in Asia, that will keep our economy and our sector going."

Mr Atkins says a number of companies are still offering traineeships and apprenticeships.

He says young people should consider a career in the sector.

"There isn't a labour shortage, there's a skills shortage," he said.

"Our business that we're in is encouraging these young people to make sure there's a pathway where they're going to get skills and capabilities, whether that's inside the industry for the rest of their lives or outside of it, but they've got those skills and they'll be able to take that next step," he said.